Designed with a particular emphasis on commercial use the IC-M85E is described as a high-class business waterproof marine handheld that meets both marine and simple Private Business Radio (PBR) applications.

The IC-M85E is something of a rarity in the market as it contains commercial features including built in voice scrambler ensuring private conversation and emergency features including Man down and lone worker function.

The IC-M85E can be used for both marine and basic PBR applications. A simple push of a button changes the operating band between marine and PBR channels. Up to 100 free licenced business band channels are available for land use (146 - 174MHz). Wide/narrow channel spacing is programmable for each channel, and CTCSS and DTCS signalling is built-in. Channel group changing (Marine/PMR) or the scrambler function ON/OFF can be assigned in the multi-function button on the top panel. The Key lock function can be activated by holding the lock button.

The IC-M85E also has a built-in voice scrambler, so if your communication is crucial it will be protected. The IC-M85E has three emergency related functions: Selectable MOB Alarm (when used with other IC-M85 radios), Man Down and Lone Worker functions. If one of these functions are activated, the radio automatically makes an emergency alarm.

The IC-M85E is claimed to be the most compact (W×H×D: 56 × 92 × 29 mm) and lightweight (weight: 246g (with BP-290, FA-SC58V and MBB-3)) commercial grade marine and land mobile hybrid radio in the world (as of November 2017). Despite its compact body, the IC-M85E delivers 700mW of loud audio. Clear communication is vital in noisy environments. The IC-M85E is built durably to endure 1m submersion for 30 minutes and dust-tight protection. The radio also passes MIL-STD-810 specifications.